Who are stakeholders on Article 370, Abdullah asks Centre

Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah Wednesday asked the central government to come clean on who are the “stakeholders” it was talking about on the contentious issue of revocation of Article 370 of the Constitution.

His comments came a day after Minister of State in the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) Jitendra Singh stirred up a controversy by declaring the new government has started the process for repealing Article 370, which grants special status to Jammu and Kashmir within the Indian republic.

Omar Abdullah

Speaking to journalists here Wednesday, Abdullah said: “We will oppose the move tooth and nail. Since it is the minister of state PMO talking and hence it is a policy matter. They (central government) must come clean and share who are the stakeholders they have talked to.”

The chief minister said the move to re-open the issue of Article 370 would amount to re-opening the issue of the state’s accession with the union.

“It is akin to opening up the issues of decisions those are to do with the ratification of accession,” he asserted.

Article 370 specifies that except for defence, foreign affairs, communications and ancillary matters (matters specified in the instrument of accession), the Indian Parliament needs the state government’s concurrence for applying all other laws.

Abdullah Tuesday reacted very sharply to Jitendra Singh’s statement asserting that either Article 370 will stay or Kashmir would cease to be a part of the country.

Opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) president and Lok Sabha member Mehbooba Mufti too said her party would oppose any move to revoke Article 370.

Abdullah also took exception to central Minorities Affairs Minister Najma Heptullah’s statement that reservations are not the solution to the problems of the Indian Muslims.

“It is not so easy and simple. She will take some time to get the grip of her ministry. Why should it be an issue with the Muslim reservations? Then go after the reservations of other sections too,” Abdullah said.

On criticism over the decision to assign Human Resource Development portfolio to Smriti Irani, Abdullah said: “I guess the issue is because she is a woman who has been given such a responsibility at such a young age.”

“Why should qualification be an issue here? Am I required to be a pilot to head the civil aviation ministry?” he asked.